In other news the flyers are 1 point behind the oilers, with the same number of games played.

Should not be the oilers should the Tankers, still hasn’t worked out for them, nor do I want it too but I am sure Connor will get his cup at some point
- wcorvette

Have the Oilers had many top picks?

I have full faith in the current Flyers regime to get those "ifs" to go their way!

- MJL

Note the part that said “new GM”. Point only is, there is a path, so far this is the season they needed, some hope and hard work but results they deserve. We want some player values to go up from the tragedy of the last 2 seasons, then they need a A+ trade deadline and draft, reset and move forward. I want to see the flyers win every game but I hope they finish last in the nhl, lol. I do watch every game typically, blessing, I play Tuesday and Thursday and the games have been earlier, I’ve been saved from watching the last couple weeks, lol

Note the part that said “new GM”. Point only is, there is a path, so far this is the season they needed, some hope and hard work but results they deserve. We want some player values to go up from the tragedy of the last 2 seasons, then they need a A+ trade deadline and draft, reset and move forward. I want to see the flyers win every game but I hope they finish last in the nhl, lol. I do watch every game typically, blessing, I play Tuesday and Thursday and the games have been earlier, I’ve been saved from watching the last couple weeks, lol
- wcorvette

Your path is based on complete luck. That isn’t a viable path.

No one has said getting a top 3 pick solved all the problems. A top 3 franchise player pick puts it on the road to getting back to wining and relevance.

Still way to many holes for just one player to overcome. Don’t think anyone isn’t aware of that.

If they get a top 3 pick good thing they have Couturier on board for 7 years to help shield said potential top 3 pick.

99% have no faith In this management team. Nor should they at this time. Bottom feeding rebuilding teams don’t sign the Sanheims of the world to 8 year deal. My bad they are not rebuilding.

This team is stuck in such a bad spot too bad management is to incompetent to realize it. They should be selling selling selling the 3/4 pieces they can actually move to get some real value back.
- furio16

That’s the issue before they actually start to rebuild this team. The current guys in charge have shown what they are. I don’t buy this 8-10 year garbage….a team like Vegas started with zilch and through solid building, and using draft capital have built a contending team. Is it an easy go ? Of course not. For every Vegas and Rangers, there’s a Buffalo and Arizona. It all starts with the guys in charge. There are a lot of different ways to build a team, retool a team. The time frame will be mainly based on the competence of the new regime and the decisions they make. Yes there will be some luck involved but that comes with any team. I also agree the current group is showing no desire to rebuild as shown by even the most recent long term Sanheim signing….the more decisions like this will make it all the more tough on Fletchers eventual replacement.

If I had a year to run the Flyers here are a few things I do.
Start researching the top player development people and just about hand out blank checks to fill out the leagues best player development staff.
This would include the training staff. A top nutritionist with staff to work with each player to optimize performance.
The scouting department needs to be evaluated.
The organizational philosophy needs to be drilled into all areas of the team.
As an example above average skating, solid puck skills and good hockey IQ are required for a baseline for a prospect.
If one of those are missing look for the next best option the fills those requirements closer to what the requirement is.
No Beta males wanted. See Nolan Patrick.
I would hire an innovative GM that isn’t in the old boys club but knows the game and can be shrewd and decisive when needed.
This GM does not hold onto older players and hand out lengthy contracts.
The coach would need to actually hold players accountable but not be such a hard butt that the message gets lost in a couple of years.
This is just a broad outline and the current team may feel like the do some of these things but the results do not bear that out.

Good points all. I almost think what is needed is to jettison the gm and Scott and determine if torts is the guy to move forward with a young team rebuild. Then go back to trade vets shed salary mode and just stockpile picks up of picks for a few years. Only short term fa signing to supplement the roster and plug holes not able to be slotted for youth. This team is literally in the worst spot you can be in. Capped out terrible team who has traded too many picks away in recent years. This is going to take 3 to 4 years to fix if we’re lucky. It has to start with firing the gm however.
- Hextall271

Tortorella is not showing that he is the right coach to move forward with a young team. He's coaching more for his legacy than his is for the Flyers future development. It's going to take way longer than 3-4 years. They can certainly improve in that time frame but it's going to take much longer to get to the top. More likely 7-10 years.

I have full faith in the current Flyers regime to get those "ifs" to go their way!

- MJL

I think hart is the real deal. Imagine him on an actual good team who supported him even a bit defensively? One of the litmus tests I think of is would a team like Edmonton or Toronto or another strong team in need of a tender be willing to pay a handsome sum to get him? I think the answer is yes. I hope we don’t end up trading him and re starting the endless search for another tender after having developed him. For provy and sanheim, I guess if the right offer comes along, maybe you trade them rather than have them languish and regress here through a rebuild.

If I had a year to run the Flyers here are a few things I do.
Start researching the top player development people and just about hand out blank checks to fill out the leagues best player development staff.
This would include the training staff. A top nutritionist with staff to work with each player to optimize performance.
The scouting department needs to be evaluated.
The organizational philosophy needs to be drilled into all areas of the team.
As an example above average skating, solid puck skills and good hockey IQ are required for a baseline for a prospect.
If one of those are missing look for the next best option the fills those requirements closer to what the requirement is.
No Beta males wanted. See Nolan Patrick.
I would hire an innovative GM that isn’t in the old boys club but knows the game and can be shrewd and decisive when needed.
This GM does not hold onto older players and hand out lengthy contracts.
The coach would need to actually hold players accountable but not be such a hard butt that the message gets lost in a couple of years.
This is just a broad outline and the current team may feel like the do some of these things but the results do not bear that out.
- bird_dog_pa

It is all about leadership, getting the right people in the right places and setting a vision for success. Then, keeping locked in on that vision through the growing pains. To lead, they need a belief that they will succeed no matter what, but need small successes along the way to keep the faith of the team and fans

Tortorella is not showing that he is the right coach to move forward with a young team. He's coaching more for his legacy than his is for the Flyers future development. It's going to take way longer than 3-4 years. They can certainly improve in that time frame but it's going to take much longer to get to the top. More likely 7-10 years.
- MJL

I remember the day they fired hextall. I was not happy at all because I felt they were switching gears too soon. I gave fletch a chance and saw some improvement the first year. I can’t believe how fast it went off the rails thereafter. It’s clear to me that even if it wasn’t with hextall, the process that he was following should have been maintained. Simply put there’s no way we’d be in a worse spot.

Tortorella is not showing that he is the right coach to move forward with a young team. He's coaching more for his legacy than his is for the Flyers future development. It's going to take way longer than 3-4 years. They can certainly improve in that time frame but it's going to take much longer to get to the top. More likely 7-10 years.
- MJL

I don’t think it would take that long if you had a president, GM and coach who actually knew what they were doing.
The flyers have some decent complimentary players. A couple high end players could go a long way. That makes the development of CG and this upcoming draft highly important.

I think hart is the real deal. Imagine him on an actual good team who supported him even a bit defensively? One of the litmus tests I think of is would a team like Edmonton or Toronto or another strong team in need of a tender be willing to pay a handsome sum to get him? I think the answer is yes. I hope we don’t end up trading him and re starting the endless search for another tender after having developed him. For provy and sanheim, I guess if the right offer comes along, maybe you trade them rather than have them languish and regress here through a rebuild.
- Hextall271

Hart, Provorov and Sanheim are all players that could be part of the core of a top NHL team. The issue is as always having the top elite players.

Wait .. wait .. if and when healthy, Couturier is not a top player that can take pressure off? Laughton and TK don't have talent and display good leadership? Tippet and Farabee are not good young players? Hart is not a top goalie? There are some pieces here. The problem as I see it is they are all complimentary pieces that would do great around a few super star players. Cutter Gauthier leads Boston College in scoring already. Add to him a good center like Fantilli and you are telling me this is not a much better team almost immediately? I still hold out hope this team can turn it around if they tank this year, that is the key, they need to tank!
- jd250

I think it would be a really tough spot for a freshly drafted kid who comes in with the expectation of being a star player. Even when healthy I don’t think Couturier has ever been a team leader. From all I’ve read the guy barely speaks. Maybe that’s changed? IDK. With his back issues I think there’s a really good chance he’ll never be a player you can count on. Apparently Laughton is the only guy on the team that can be looked at as a leader and while he’s a fine player He isn’t a guy you look at to lead the team in scoring.

I don’t think it would take that long if you had a president, GM and coach who actually knew what they were doing.
The flyers have some decent complimentary players. A couple high end players could go a long way. That makes the development of CG and this upcoming draft highly important.
- bird_dog_pa

We can stop looking at anecdotal evidence and look at the actual evidence of how long it takes for teams that accomplished it. It's a long process normally and more teams fail at then succeed. Keep in mind, I'm not talking about incremental improvement from year to year. I'm talking about the full journey to becoming an elite team.

It is all about leadership, getting the right people in the right places and setting a vision for success. Then, keeping locked in on that vision through the growing pains. To lead, they need a belief that they will succeed no matter what, but need small successes along the way to keep the faith of the team and fans
- wcorvette

That’s my point. I don’t see a solid vision with this team. CF is just throwing poop at the wall and hoping it doesn’t slide down the wall leaving a messy streak that has to be cleaned up later.

I think it would be a really tough spot for a freshly drafted kid who comes in with the expectation of being a star player. Even when healthy I don’t think Couturier has ever been a team leader. From all I’ve read the guy barely speaks. Maybe that’s changed? IDK. With his back issues I think there’s a really good chance he’ll never be a player you can count on. Apparently Laughton is the only guy on the team that can be looked at as a leader and while he’s a fine player He isn’t a guy you look at to lead the team in scoring.
- Dkos

Leading a team is far more about action than words. Words are overrated. A true leader leads on the ice. Couturier has that in spades.

I think hart is the real deal. Imagine him on an actual good team who supported him even a bit defensively? One of the litmus tests I think of is would a team like Edmonton or Toronto or another strong team in need of a tender be willing to pay a handsome sum to get him? I think the answer is yes. I hope we don’t end up trading him and re starting the endless search for another tender after having developed him. For provy and sanheim, I guess if the right offer comes along, maybe you trade them rather than have them languish and regress here through a rebuild.
- Hextall271

Define a handsome sum. To me Hart doesn’t have great value so you are much better off keeping him.

Neither one of those 2 teams imo would roll the dice with Hart as he still is a big question mark.

Leading a team is far more about action than words. Words are overrated. A true leader leads on the ice. Couturier has that in spades.
- MJL

Until he shows he is healthy and a top center he no longer has it in spades. Just another bad contract

That’s my point. I don’t see a solid vision with this team. CF is just throwing poop at the wall and hoping it doesn’t slide down the wall leaving a messy streak that has to be cleaned up later.
- bird_dog_pa

Can’t argue that right now, especially with how they are deploying their lineup, Torts player usage is continuing the idea that CF’s mentality has not changed, all about the TDL right now, hope the light bulb goes on and you have parts that raised their value this season and sell

We can stop looking at anecdotal evidence and look at the actual evidence of how long it takes for teams that accomplished it. It's a long process normally and more teams fail at then succeed. Keep in mind, I'm not talking about incremental improvement from year to year. I'm talking about the full journey to becoming an elite team.
- MJL

There are plenty of teams that go from bad to solid teams in a year or two with a couple of smart moves.
To go from solid to cup competing with a couple more of the right moves.
At this point a team knows their core and can complement the team with complimentary players.
Is this easy of course not but a GM that knows what day of the week it is helps.
Toronto can’t get out of their way. They have one of the top forward groups in the league but don’t have a D or goalie to push them past the solid category.
In this regard their GM stinks.
Florida got caught in the same spot. Lots of talent but have obvious weaknesses. Their GM hopes that they could out score other teams and put himself in a bad spot.

Can’t argue that right now, especially with how they are deploying their lineup, Torts player usage is continuing the idea that CF’s mentality has not changed, all about the TDL right now, hope the light bulb goes on and you have parts that raised their value this season and sell
- wcorvette

Absolutely you can talk about it right now. CF has no idea what to do next. It doesn’t look like the GM and coach are on the same page let alone executing a unified vision.

Define a handsome sum. To me Hart doesn’t have great value so you are much better off keeping him.

Neither one of those 2 teams imo would roll the dice with Hart as he still is a big question mark.
- furio16

Really? I might reach out to some of their fans to see. So you think he’d be a worse option than Campbell or Murray? I really don’t think so. The struggles he’s had are a product of the horrible team in front of him and maybe losing confidence. I know philly fans are notoriously hard on tenders but I think we undervalue him a lot because the team is so bad. He’s a very good young tender who hasn’t hit his prime yet. I feel like teams would pay to get him.

Absolutely you can talk about it right now. CF has no idea what to do next. It doesn’t look like the GM and coach are on the same page let alone executing a unified vision.
- bird_dog_pa

There’s no vision anymore. That much is certain from the off-season gong show. Completely rudderless ship right now.

There are plenty of teams that go from bad to solid teams in a year or two with a couple of smart moves.
To go from solid to cup competing with a couple more of the right moves.
At this point a team knows their core and can complement the team with complimentary players.
Is this easy of course not but a GM that knows what day of the week it is helps.
Toronto can’t get out of their way. They have one of the top forward groups in the league but don’t have a D or goalie to push them past the solid category.
In this regard their GM stinks.
Florida got caught in the same spot. Lots of talent but have obvious weaknesses. Their GM hopes that they could out score other teams and put himself in a bad spot.
- bird_dog_pa

Which teams? Again, not talking about being a solid team. Is that the benchmark? I'm talking about being one of the top teams in the league.

Leading a team is far more about action than words. Words are overrated. A true leader leads on the ice. Couturier has that in spades.
- MJL

Maybe he HAD that…but, he’s into his second season of not being able to play. I can’t see him as a consistent player for this team going forward. I know we have different opinions when it comes to his future after back surgery. Though he may play again I think his back will be a problem for what remains of his career. I just can’t see him having much of an influence on this team anymore

Maybe he HAD that…but, he’s into his second season of not being able to play. I can’t see him as a consistent player for this team going forward. I know we have different opinions when it comes to his future after back surgery. Though he may play again I think his back will be a problem for what remains of his career. I just can’t see him having much of an influence on this team anymore
- Dkos

He still has it until proven otherwise. Believing one way or the other doesn't change the player he is or is going to be in the future. It's going to be what it is. We won't know until he plays.